Is this normal? Say if I'm coasting up to a stop, it's hard to shift into first. It seems the slower I'm going, the easier it is to shift into 1st gear.

 

It's probably locking you out if you are shifting into first too soon....jr.
I usually wait until 7-10mph if I even shift into first. Its preferred you actually not downshift into first while moving.

 

You could try to rev match.

I always thought that you should never shift into first unless it is from a dead stop, or after coming out of reverse.

 

Just tap the throttle with the clutch in and slide it into first.

 

^This.

 

Why? I downshift to 1st all the time, granted I heel and toe/rev match on every downshift. But why should you not do that?

 

I downshift to 1st all the time. Obviously you don't want to do this when you're going 30mph. I'll go into 1st when the car tells me it's okay (ie. 10mph)

 

What I really meant was, say I'm coasting up to a stop light at 30 mph with the clutch in and pop it into first to get ready to take off again. I don't mean downshifting into first. Just getting ready to go again after the light turns green.

 

Not a good idea to be coasting with the clutch down like that.

 

What's wrong with doing that?